It was on a nice fall day in September, 2016. I was going to lose my sister to college.

  We were in New Brunswick. More specifically, Rutgers.

  I knew after my sister graduated high school at Eastern that she would go to college soon, but I didn’t know how fast the summer would be.

  Ever since I was born, my sister had been in my life daily, but college would end that. Yeah, I would see her during breaks and whenever she came down to visit, but not every day.

  I wouldn’t be able to hang out with her, whether it was blasting music out of the car windows or eating burritos at Pancheros. I wouldn’t be able to laugh with her. (We could easily crack each other up). And I couldn’talk about anything with her in person while she was away.

  So as my family and I were getting Jordan’s supplies for her dorm room out of the car, I promised myself I would cherish this day.

“Jordan, where’s your room?” my dad asked, carrying a heavy box of clothes and shoes.

  “3 doors down, first floor on your left.”

  And finally, with my mom carrying a box of books, we entered the dorm room.

  It was small, with two beds on opposite walls, the window in between them. There were two desks under each bed and a closet on the side of the wall. There was a refrigerator in the corner of the room. Seeing as one of the beds was already taken up by my sister’s roommate, Jordan took her pillows, comforters, and blankets and placed them on the other bed closest to the closet.

  Jordan’s roommate and her family were already in the dorm room when we entered. Our families talked to eachother for a little while until they left.

  My sister placed a Kurt Cobain poster on the wall next to her desk, symbolizing her love for the band Nirvana. She put rock band posters on the wall above her bed. We helped her put up a long, black tapestry with multicolored moons on her side wall. And when her books were stacked neatly on her desk and her bed was covered with its necessities, we headed out to eat.

Both of my parents had gone to this Rutgers and knew their way around the place, most importantly the food restaurants.

  We decided on going to the best stromboli place in town, Stuff Yer Face.

  After we ordered our strombolis, my mom asked, “So, Jordan, what are you most looking forward to at college?”

  My sister thought about it for a moment. “Probably being independent and making my own choices. Also, my classes should be good too.”

  “Don’t fool around with any boys,” said my dad, slightly smiling

   Jordan responded by rolling her eyes.

  “Well,” I joined in, “I’m going to miss you a lot.”

  “Aww, that’s so sweet,” Jordan said. “I’m going to miss spending time with all of you.”

  After that, we talked about Jordan’s classes and the things she was and wanted to do at Rutgers. Soon enough, our strombolis came and we indeed stuffed our faces.

  When we finished our lunch, we decided to walk around the campus, seeing the sights my sister was going to see during her freshman year. I stayed close to her for the whole time, talking to her about anything, not wanting to stop. I knew this was going to be our last talk in person until Thanksgiving.

  At around 2, we headed back to my sister’s dorm room to say goodbye. We stopped in front of the building.

  My mom went first. “Have an amazing time here. You are going to love it. ”

  Next was my dad. “I wish I was going to college again because it was the best time of my life. I hope it’s the same for you. Be good, study hard, but make sure to give yourself the best experience. We love you.”

  Then it was my turn. I immediately went to hug her and I held on tight, choking up a little. For all thirteen years of my life, my sister was always at home, but now she was going to be here at Rutgers. I knew that my family was going to visit her sometimes, but it was hard to face the prospect of my sister staying  at college for months at a time.

  The hug was at least ten seconds long, but I didn’t care.

  When we pulled away, my sister said. “I love you Josh. I’m going to miss you so much. Have a great time in eighth grade. Text me whenever possible.”

  I nodded.

  And off went my sister to her dorm building. She looked back and we said goodbye and waved. I smiled sadly as the door closed behind her.